Star TribuneMike Zimmer deflected blame away from the Vikings offensive line after backup quarterback Case Keenum was pressured an NFL-high 51 percent of his pass plays on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus.So, what happened?"It was a combination of things," Zimmer said Monday, adding: "Protecting and the quarterback depth, a lot of these things go hand-in-hand. [Keenum] got deep a couple times and we're not protecting at that depth. Some of it was that. We were late out of the snap one time. For the most part, we got on the right guys."With starter Sam Bradford a game-time decision in Pittsburgh, the Vikings turned to Keenum for his first start since Week 10 last season. Some rust was evident. Keenum only took two sacks, but at least one could be pegged on the quarterback dropping too far back, which opened the field for Steelers defenders like Bud Dupree.The Vikings allowed pressure due to a handful of gaffes. Zimmer pegged some of it on "communication issues." They also allowed the rare free run at Keenum when Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt came unblocked. We'll get to that play shortly."We did have some communication issues," Zimmer said. "There was a couple times we were late off the ball. It wasn't just on [Keenum], it was a combination of things."Let's take a look at four examples of the Steelers' pressure, a critical element to the Vikings' failure on offense in Pittsburgh. Here to help is Dan Hatman, a former NFL scout and Director of Scouting Development at The Scouting Academy. You can follow Dan on Twitter at @Dan_Hatman.— On this third down, the Steelers blitz to stress the right side. Cornerback Joe Haden (21, far left) is set to come off the edge. Bud Dupree (48, middle) takes a wide rush, which is where Keenum eventually helps this blitz get home by escaping backward instead of stepping up — leading to one of six Ryan Quigley punts. Click here if this video is not displaying."Looks like Keenum sets up at 6-7 yards in the gun, then retreats to almost 12 yards in his drop," Hatman said. "There are almost no OTs in the NFL I would trust to carry Dupree's speed to that depth. The rest of the 6-man protection does a good job versus the nickel blitz and would have held up well. Finally, [Cameron] Hayward was too much for [Riley] Reiff here, collapsing the pocket."—When the Vikings set up 'manageable' third downs, let's call them third-and-6 or shorter, they were effective. Minnesota converted 4 of 5 third downs in those situations, except for this one below. On the surface, the untrained eye could blame Keenum not getting the ball out in time, but the pressure from left guard Nick Easton's lane helped stall this drive, according to Hatman. Keenum's progression eventually brought him to the open Kyle Rudolph, though he was hit when he threw. The failed fake punt attempt came after this play. Click here if this video is not displaying."Right side of the OL handles [tackle/end] twist game," Hatman said. "Berger carries the penetrator as the protection calls for Elflein to be pushing that way and he picks up the outside linebacker. The direct pressure came from the DT softening Easton's outside shoulder with the bull rush. In addition, that pressure came on the same side as the primary read, so with the throwing window taken away, Keenum came back across the formation and even though Rudolph was open, the pressure was already home."—On this third-and-10, the Steelers again bring a blitz (24 times total, per Zimmer). The pressure comes off right tackle, but running back Dalvin Cook appears responsible for defensive back Mike Hilton in this protection scheme. Hilton gets one of the Steelers' seven hits on Keenum, who doesn't help his blockers by escaping backward again. Click here if this video is not displaying."You can draw up 6-man protections in many ways, but it looks like [Dalvin] Cook is scanning inside-out. With [Mike] Remmers blocking down versus the defensive end, Cook would have to come across and pick up the edge blitzer. Many protections like to work inside-out to keep immediate pressure off the QB as edge pressure takes longer to get there. As such, I'd be inclined to think Remmers was doing his job and Cook didn't find the rusher in time to make proper contact. Tough block for him."—The Vikings' best drive of the first half was stalled, in part, because of three straight plays with Steelers pressure on Keenum. Right after Keenum's 24-yard pass to receiver Adam Thielen, the Vikings allow Watt a free run at the quarterback. The Steelers overloaded left tackle with Watt's wide alignment and a linebacker (#98) blitz, which Reiff attempted to pick up. This one broke down at multiple spots. Zimmer alluded to the play Monday, noting the line was sliding away from the blitz.After the play-action handoff, Cook had little chance seeing three Steelers defenders between Watt, the linebacker and defensive tackle pressure between Elflein and Easton."Sometimes if you got everybody out and about and they bring an extra guy, and the [offensive] line is sliding away, they're going to have a free runner," Zimmer said. "The [blocker] has to come back in and take the most dangerous guy. Sometimes that happens." Click here if this video is not displaying. "Again, with this 6-man protection, Reiff and Cook need to pick up 90 [Watt] and 98 [Vince Williams]," Hatman said. "There is some miscommunication there as Reiff either did not see 90 or thought he had Cook protecting that edge."

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:40:31 PM

Pete Morrelli and his crew sure like to throw flags.

by Tyler9/19/2017 5:41:23 PM

Yeah, there was even more yellow than normal in Pittsburgh. Maybe he wanted to make up for not reffing in Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma?

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:41:45 PM

When should we expect J. Johnson to be activated and play?

by JZHoodie9/19/2017 5:41:58 PM

I'd like to see it. I just don't know how much Tom Johnson has left in the tank and I thought Jaleel looked solid. That said, the Vikings see Jaleel practice every day and we're not allowed to watch that anymore.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:42:46 PM

Re: Interior d-line, these guys get banged up a lot. It might not be long for Jaleel.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:43:31 PM

Sam's knee, Teddy's knee, Adrian's knee last year. Turf sucks.

by Avatar9/19/2017 5:44:02 PM

Well Teddy's knee had nothing to do with U.S. Bank Stadium. The other two? Yeah..

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:44:39 PM

Has the loss of a top pick for Bradford hurt us yet?

by Tark9/19/2017 5:44:52 PM

No. Not having Bradford would hurt even more.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:45:18 PM

How do you feel about Sendejo still being next to Smith at safety? Again last weekend he showed us how his poor pursuit, poor coverage and missed tackles can be a major downfall for our defense. There may be a lot of things on tape he is doing right, but I, for one, have been looking to upgrade from Sendejo for the past 3 seasons. Thoughts?

by Scotty Hurricane-Gorham9/19/2017 5:45:35 PM

Yeah a lot of people outside Winter Park have been looking for another option for years now. Sendejo won Zimmer over at some point, because Zimmer even talked about in 2015 searching for another safety that has the right "skill set" that could help Harrison Smith. Since? They've taken almost 0 swings on safeties other than 7th-rd picks and undrafted guys.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:46:42 PM

That said, I think Sendejo was burned on that first Steelers touchdown pass. He should've been there to help Newman.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:47:40 PM

I suspect Teddy's knee was hurt on that juke he made in the preseason game in US Bank Stadium... am I the only one?

by Avatar9/19/2017 5:48:02 PM

Haven't heard that one before.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:48:07 PM

Should the Vikings tank for a QB in next years draft? The top prospects looking promising

by Cayman Salitros9/19/2017 5:48:30 PM

Tank/rebuild shouldn't be in the vocabulary of a GM and coach fighting for their jobs.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:48:59 PM

if Bradford is hurt still in October, do I make a comeback and lead this team to the playoffs?

by Teddy9/19/2017 5:49:41 PM

You tell us, Ted.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:49:46 PM

Why can't we have nice things, AK? WHY?

by Devin Vander Schaaf9/19/2017 5:50:14 PM

Minnesota. Sports.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:50:23 PM

It was just the "turns young studs into robots" line that sounded like a shot at Zim. Good line though! And to be fair, I think calling Waynes a young stud is putting the ol cart before the horse. But I hope you're right.

by MNfan4ever9/19/2017 5:50:54 PM

Certainly not a shot. Zimmer talks every offseason about that, saying he wants his guys to be more aggressive, more reckless on defense after learning the process of how to play under him. The "robotic" line is his.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:51:22 PM

Speaking of Sloter, lets look a few weeks down the road. If Teddy does indeed come back this season, is there a scenario where the Vikings keep 4 QBs on the active roster? Right now Sloter is the only guy who is on contract after this season.

by Nick Miller9/19/2017 5:52:29 PM

If they're fortunate enough to have a healthy Bradford and Bridgewater, then does it really matter what happens to Sloter?

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:52:49 PM

I don't think they'd keep 4 QBs, no.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:53:04 PM

thru 2 games, Easton has underwhelmed. I realize it's a work in progress, but is his back up Isidora and could we see him in his place if Easton's poor play continues?

by rob9/19/2017 5:53:40 PM

Sirles, I believe, would be first in for Easton. Isidora almost exclusively worked at right guard. Promising in the preseason, but you'd likely see Sirles in first.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:54:15 PM

Who do you think will get the contract extension first, Kendricks or Barr? I personally think Kendricks is the better player, I really hope they keep him.

by GeorgeGeorge..9/19/2017 5:54:52 PM

Kendricks has been playing like the better player, that's for sure. He's the real deal. However, Kendricks isn't eligible for a contract extension until next spring. Anthony Barr could sign one at any moment and I'd believe they'll look to lock him up first, barring a disappointing season.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:55:42 PM

Barr approaches an interesting crossroads. Vikings picked up his 5th-year option, meaning he'll be guaranteed A LOT of money in March if he's on the roster. Only way Vikings dodge paying him a king's ransom next year is if they cut him or extend him.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:56:42 PM

And any extension obviously starts with his 5th-year option price, which for a top-10 pick is the transition tender (or the average of the top-10 paid at his position)

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:58:05 PM

Was there a clear angle that showed where the ball was Cook's knee was down? They should have given him his first touchdown.

by Drew9/19/2017 5:58:42 PM

They should've given it to him, but still cool to see C.J. Ham get that score. Dalvin will get his.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:59:04 PM

OK, one more!

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 5:59:20 PM

How will the Vikings secondary fare against Tampa Bay's double trouble - Evans and Jackson? Rhodes can't shadow both of them. Safeties 20 yards deep? Need Waynes to step up this week.

by Rippit9/19/2017 6:00:34 PM

Yes, Waynes needs to play better. I expect Rhodes to shadow Mike Evans, which will be a fun matchup between two physically-imposing players. The slot could stand out more, where DeSean Jackson has the speed to potentially get by Newman or Alexander inside. Will Brock be ready to step in if needed? We'll have to see. Either way, things don't get easier for the Vikings secondary after Brown and Bryant in Pittsburgh.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 6:02:15 PM

One more on that..

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 6:03:00 PM

Roethlisberger noted after Sunday's game the Vikings don't play two deep safeties very often, so that's why he felt comfortable taking deep shots. Well, I'd imagine getting DPIs every other throw was also a reason. You can bet Jameis Winston watches that and likes his chances targeting guys deep. Perhaps the Vikings back off a little bit without having to worry about a Le'Veon Bell in the backfield.

by Andrew Krammer9/19/2017 6:03:51 PM

All right, thanks guys! Come back every week at this time. We'll have myself, Ben Goessling and Mark Craig rotating in on these chats.